67 replies to this topic

[BleepingBleepers]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I turned my attention last week to my other ants, posted that journal here

 

https://www.formicul...mex-cf-astutus/

 

I tried to put a lot of pictures and thoughts into that journal. Had to step away afterwards.

 

But this week, my attention will be back on this. I've already updated the first page to reflect some of your thoughts, what I've found out myself, and what I said I'd update.

 

Appreciate everyone's patience. I find that I do my best writing / talking when I'm in the right mindset and most days I'm just kinda out of it instead, just dealing with life one day at a time.

 

But I am happy that I got fellow ant enthusiasts here, a pleasure to hang around with

 

 

 

They have grown a lot. This colony could hit the thousands is you want them to.

 

That would be nice but I'm quite weary of being overwhelmed. I kinda like it simple and easy.

 

I am definitely waiting quite eagerly for my first MAJOR, especially a full sized one. As a first time ant keeper, that would be extremely exciting to behold. I got one large cocoon in the last week, here's hoping! 85% it's a larger worker again, which is still very nice, but we'll see

 

I really can’t get over how good they look in the minihearth… maybe I’ll grab another for my colony…

 

Ya, that's why I grabbed the package deal he had with the discount. It's pretty neat that you can connect them, that's what I'm planning to do!

I said before that I dreamed of having a top down view nest, however, now that I've them in the mini Hearth for awhile, I think this is the best view for these kinda ants because:

 

1. Top down view kinda gives it a 2D feel that I'm finding out I'm not too fond of as I put more thought into it. At least that's what I think as I need to experience it myself to form a full opinion on. Funny how fickle I can be, I was hellbent on getting a top down view, but now I like the side view because you can see the ants from all kinds of angles and it feels more 3D and a fuller viewing experience.

 

2. Unlike other ants that tend to block the glass with debris etc, these ants don't so they're almost the perfect candidate for the side view formicariums.

 

3. Side view is very nice for just laying right on your desk and staring straight into the formicarium, watching them do their thing. Very relaxing. I would think a top down view, you'd have to be sitting up, looking straight down, bending your neck. I think I'll try the top down view on my second ant species, then I'll update that thought.

 

This colony is definitely going strong! I've noticed the same thing in my colony, that they place all the brood away from the water tower; seems this is a dry loving species. 

 

Yeah, I'm realizing it even more especially compared to the other ant species. I've updated the first page info to reflect that more, it's under Humidity

Edited by BleepingBleepers, November 22 2023 - 10:27 AM.

[BleepingBleepers]

Colony Development Timeline

 

NOTE:  + symbol is me counting possible new workers based on color and crumbled up cocoons thrown in the trash area, it's at least that number or higher. I do an accurate count every so often. As you can imagine, the more ants, the harder it is to count, especially when some are laying underneath piles of brood (yes, they do that, interestingly enough). I'm tracking it so often mostly to see the growth in the first year. Later on, numbers will only be updated once in a significant while.

 

6 / 24 / 2023 - Received ants for the first time in test tube setup. 1 Queen, 6 workers, small brood (including 2 cocoons already in development)

7 / 02 / 2023 - Moved test tube with open end into plastic container outworld. Queen, 8 workers, small brood  (Page 1)

7 / 17 / 2023 - Queen + 8 Nanitics, 3 Cocoons, 6 Larvae, 5-6 eggs.

8 / 17 / 2023 - Moved to Mini Hearth XL Queen + 11 Workers + X number of brood (Workers increase in size 10-15%)   CLICK HERE FOR PIC

8 / 31 / 2023 - Queen + 18 Workers + X Brood   (Even with double workers, their protein requirement has increased 3-4 times. Average worker size increased about 25%)

9 / 23 / 2023 - Queen + 26 Workers + X Brood

9 / 25 / 2023 - Queen + 30 Workers + X Brood

10 / 05 / 2023 - Queen + X Workers + X Brood (Received my first worker twice the size as nanitics) PIC HERE

10 / 08 / 2023 - Queen + 40 Workers + X Brood

10 / 11 / 2023 - Queen + 42 Workers + 50+ eggs, 25+ cocoons, 20+ larvae  (Pic below the 8/17/23 Picture)

10 / 17 / 2023 - Queen + 45 Workers + X Brood

10 / 23 / 2023 - Queen + 51 Workers + X Brood

10 / 26 / 2023 - Queen + 54 Workers + X Brood

10 / 30 / 2023 - Queen + 57 Workers + X Brood

10 / 31 / 2023 - Queen + 61 Workers + X Brood

11 / 03 / 2023 - Queen + 65 Workers + X Brood

11 / 06 / 2023 - Pausing and realizing how bored I must be.

11 / 11 / 2023 - Queen + 78 Workers + X Brood

11 / 12 / 2023 - Queen + 80+ Workers + 50+ eggs, 20+ larvae and 20+ cocoons. CLICK HERE FOR PIC

11 / 12 / 2023 - Queen + 82+ Workers + X Brood (Getting really hard to count these guys) (Around this time, they start moving more larvae and eggs to the water tower) (constant protein intake, drop a small roach directly into their nest)

11 / 13 / 2023  to  11 / 19 / 2023   Stagnant, didn't notice any new workers, never went so long without a new worker coming out . I actually noticed for the last week or two (maybe a week or two longer than that?) that 5 pupae in development did not develop well for some reason (mentioned on the very first post somewhere) and were eaten. A bit worrisome to see. Interesting, but worrisome. I've only noticed them eating an egg once before this, a few months back. Have increased temperature so low end is above 75 and slightly bump up humidity due to drier cold seasons.

11 / 20 / 2023 - Queen + 83+ Workers + X Brood (Finally, a worker broke the dry spell)

11 / 22 / 2023 - Queen + 86+ Workers + 50+ eggs, 25+ larvae and 30+ cocoons  (Workers less picky about sugar sources and protein. They will still attack whole prekilled prey but now readily accept whole roaches and eating most of it, including legs. Exoskeleton on roach back seems to be a bit too tough and not worth the effort. When they were about 30 workers, they would kinda avoid the top half of the roach and many times just throw it away. Basically, less picky on what to eat and bolder in attacks)

11 / 26 / 2023 - Queen + 100~ Workers + 40+ eggs, 30+ larvae and 25+ cocoons (I think it's become too difficult to accurately count them now, even with video. I can try to count new workers or ones that are eclosing but yeah, it's a mess. Future attempts will be guestimates. This is probably the last time I can say it's +/- 2 from the count. Have witnessed 2 pupa getting eaten since last report; temperature has been increased some weeks back, tho nights can be cold. Also haven't fed them anything suspicious much, sticking with roaches I'm raising and sugar water I mixed myself)

11 / 30 / 2023 - Queen + 103~ Workers + 20+ eggs, 35+ larvae and 30+ cocoons  (Want to make this primarily to note that starting around a week before this, egg numbers have gone down, laying fewer eggs, the brood is still developing like normal like larvae cocooning and eclosing, but the egg counts have gradually declined. Still do see some pupae (2-3 that I saw) getting eaten including one of the bigger cocoons insert sad face. Ants still craving a lot of protein, a small red runner every other day)

Edited by BleepingBleepers, November 30 2023 - 11:37 AM.

[CAantz]

Notice any majors/media or larger cocoons?

[BleepingBleepers]

Notice any majors/media or larger cocoons?

I've had three large cocoons before that turned out to be really large workers (largest thus far). Picture on this post #41 in the worker comparison pic.

 

https://www.formicul...-ca02/?p=233477

 

 

 

About a week ago, I got another large cocoon, but 85% thinking it's another big worker. I'm still not too sure what a media is, I'm hearing it's a mix between a major and worker ant?

 

Here's that cocoon, it's due near end of month. Definitely sizable but nowhere the behemoth Queen size major. Can't wait when I do get one like that tho, pretty exciting!

 

 

 

 

Side:

 

Will work on all the other stuff I mentioned I'd get to on these updates. I accomplish some of them today at least.

 

Was also busy today doing some massive camera / camera gear shopping for Black Friday.

Edited by BleepingBleepers, November 22 2023 - 5:23 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Goog ol’ fashioned power-feeding will get you majors in no time.

[BleepingBleepers]

I think this was the big cocoon that I was referring to.

 

What do you think, possible first MAJOR? Or just another bigger worker?

Here's a picture and a zoom in on what I think is its head, which is much larger than the regular workers.

 

COME ON, GIMME A MAJOR ANT SO I CAN RIDE HER INTO BATTLE!!

With luck, it should eclose in about 2 days. Come on!!!

I kinda am feeling that it might 85% be another bigger worker, which is good still, but the anticipation!

 

Edit: Looked in again today and I noticed a few other exceptionally large larvae. The workers have been craving and eating protein constantly, like a roach nymph every other day. I hope that's a sign!

 

Edited by BleepingBleepers, Yesterday, 9:22 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Looks very promising to me!

[Ernteameise]

Yay for majors!